Eyes wide open
Joanna posts about truth, and i have to agree.
I have always been unceasingly self reflective; I know every bad thing about myself, and though I don’t necesarily dwell on those things, I am constantly aware of my failings. I have made a point, in my lifetime, of never looking away from the distasteful in the world, and that holds true for the distasteful in my life as well. I don’t ever close my eyes.
There’s a lot of mental illness tied to that relentless sort of introspection, and I’m not always sure I’ve escaped it. I also see the stupidity in political games both public and personal that most people never see, and it has destroyed my patience for assholes.
I have a few people I deal with constantly who will simply not be honest with me, and it drives me nuts. I know precisely what their motivations are and only wish they could choke back the bullshit once in a while and be honest with me. I doubt they ever will.
Anyway, I never lie to myself, as I can help it. I have always deflected the criticism and sarcasm of others by being more critical of and sarcastic about myself than other people are capable of.
“You’re fat!”
“yeah, well, at least I’m ugly too. And you should see the size of my gut when I lose the belt!”
Most people turn away in disgust. You can’t slam me more than I can slam myself.
But I’m at peace with who I am. And who I am is fine by me, warts and all.
15 comments Og | Uncategorized
Sometimes I forget my faults. Fortunately, there is always someone nearby to remind me.
I forget where I saw it, but some “expert” something to the effect that there’s a name for the condition that affects those who see their self image most accurately. It’s called depression.
Nuthin’ like stealing somebody’s thunder before they get up a good head of steam.
“Hey lint…. you’re nothing but an inbred, knuckle-dragging, mouth-breathing, sister-screwing, Redneck, Southerner!!!”
You won that argument, care to start another?
I once told a guy who was trying to insult me that the truth about me was worse than his tiny imagination could possibly come up with, so anything he said about me would be taken as a compliment. I’m not sure he believed me, but he shut up. Mission accomplished.
If it wasn’t for my character flaws … I’d have nothin’!
You have to be comfortable living with yourself, as you truly are, before you can live with anyone else, as they truly are.
I became an adult when I realized THAT…
All The Best,
Frank W. James
And then there are those who have learned to think ever more highly of themselves because they keep receiving accolades and figure it must be true. That’s the other side of this equation Og.
You and I have learned to accept the criticism — but could we learn to accept the compliments and not let it go to our heads?
As you know, I’ve been polishing a criticism demonstrating how a couple of good guys seem to be seeking approval from all the wrong people. I hope to publish “Principles Over All Principals” today. You don’t let the criticisms get you down, and that’s good. But such as these may let plaudits take them down and that’s not good for our side.
Man is born faulted. It’s a given. What sets each of us apart is how we deal with it, and whether we try to overcome the darker sides to our nature.
I myself am heavily flawed. I make no apologies for it, but I make daily effort to overcome my flaws and do what I see as right, even though it violate my nature.
It’s a battle. A very human battle.
I have to second CarTeach. There was only one ever perfect human and we killed him.
I know I am flawed.
Tis a curse of which I too, am afflicted. I liked myself once, but then the drugs wore off…
Agree with Art and Frank both… The truth DOES set you free too, cause the ONLY person you have to live with is the one in the mirror!
My Grandpa taught me one fundamental truth that guides me. If a man can’t look at himself in the mirror when he shaves, he will cut his own throat someday. So live right or grow a beard.
Roger
Glad to see I’m not the only one that feels this way.
“Lord, help me to be a better man, a better husband, and a better steward.
AMEN”
YOF
hmm really interesting…
Great post, Og!